Man who crashed into lake pleads guilty to ninth DUI

POLSON – Last Wednesday, Polson resident Todd Burland appeared in Lake County District Court and pled guilty to his ninth offense of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Burland’s latest DUI occurred Nov. 5, when an attempted traffic stop on Polson’s Main Street spiraled into a chase scene that culminated in the brisk waters of Flathead Lake.

On that night, Burland turned onto U.S. Hwy. 93 when authorities attempted to pull him over and took off down the road with police cruisers in pursuit. Police reports recounting the chase indicated that speeds never surpassed 45 mph.

Burland eventually turned into Boettcher Park, where he managed to crash his vehicle in Flathead Lake. Although the automotive pursuit came to an abrupt halt, the chase still wasn’t over, as Burland attempted to elude authorities by swimming away from shore.

Specialists wearing water rescue suits were called to the scene, along with the rescue boat belonging to the Polson Fire Department. Despite the call for backup, officer T.J. Haynes of Tribal Law and Order swam after Burland and apprehended him about 200 yards from shore.

Burland, 45, will be sentenced April 3. If District Court Judge C.B. McNeil accepts the terms of the plea agreement, Burland would be facing a sentence of 20 years, 15 of which would be suspended.